Ex-Trump campaign official aiding Jan. 6 probe: Report

Former Trump Campaign Official Cooperating with Justice Department in Election Investigation

A former Trump campaign official who played a role in the former president’s fake electors scheme is reportedly cooperating with the Justice Department as part of its investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Mike Roman is working with special counsel Jack Smith’s team to provide information on former President Donald Trump’s thinking in the weeks after his loss to President Joe Biden in 2020, sources familiar with the matter told CNN.

The talks are being conducted through a proffer agreement, allowing Roman to speak with investigators in a more informal setting rather than appearing before the grand jury. This agreement may also prevent the testimony from being used against him in future proceedings.

Focus on Trump’s Fake Electors Plot

While it’s unclear what specific information investigators are seeking from Roman, it is likely that they are pressing him for details on Trump’s fake electors plot. This scheme aimed to block the certification of the 2020 election results in seven battleground states.

Investigators have been particularly interested in meetings where Trump and his allies discussed submitting alternative slates of electors who could be called upon if the election was decertified.

Ramping Up the Investigation

Roman’s cooperation comes as the special counsel’s office intensifies its investigation into Trump’s efforts to reverse his loss to Biden in 2020, as well as his conduct during the January 6th riot. Special counsel Jack Smith is leading the DOJ’s efforts, calling witnesses to shed light on meetings Trump held in December 2020 and January 2021 to consider actions aimed at overturning the election.

Smith has already issued subpoenas to local officials in battleground states, requesting communications with the former president in the weeks following the 2020 election. The special counsel’s team has also met with former Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani to gain insight into Trump’s thinking after his reelection loss.

Recent weeks have seen several witnesses testify in front of a grand jury, with attorneys pushing to bring in more individuals for interviews. This includes members of Trump’s former legal team, such as Giuliani, Sidney Powell, and John Eastman. The special counsel’s office is also seeking information from former DOJ appointee Jeffrey Clark, who attempted to use the department to help Trump overturn the election.

Potential Paths for Additional Scrutiny

The investigation aims to uncover what instructions the former president gave to his attorneys and senior officials in their efforts to change the outcome of the 2020 election. Previous reporting suggests that there are two other potential paths that could lead to additional scrutiny of Trump.

One path involves charges of seditious conspiracy and conspiracy to obstruct a government proceeding, similar to the charges brought against those arrested after storming the Capitol. The other path involves charging Trump with fraud in connection to the false electors plot or his attempts to pressure the DOJ to overturn the election results.

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